Sat Jan 25 09:34:53 UTC 2025: ## Four Israeli Soldiers Released by Hamas in Gaza Ceasefire Deal
**GAZA CITY** – Four Israeli female soldiers, held captive since October 7th, 2023, were released by Hamas today as part of a negotiated ceasefire. The soldiers, captured from the Nahal Oz military base near the Gaza border, were presented on a podium in uniform before being handed over to Red Cross officials. They have now left Gaza.
This marks the second prisoner exchange under the fragile ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States following months of intense negotiations. Israel is expected to release a yet-unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners in return. While the deal is intended to pave the way for a lasting peace, its future remains uncertain.
The release comes against a backdrop of widespread devastation in Gaza. Thousands of displaced Gazans, returning to their homes after over a year of conflict, are finding only rubble where their houses once stood. Theqra Qasem, a displaced woman, told AFP, “Even if we thought about returning, there is no place for us to put our tents because of the destruction.”
Former US President Donald Trump, however, took to Truth Social to claim sole credit for the ceasefire, stating, “This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November.” This claim has been widely disputed. The long-term implications of the ceasefire and the rebuilding efforts in Gaza remain to be seen.
First Piper 